Attendance at North Carolina furniture market drops after passage of anti-gay law
Wed. November 30, 2016 7:23 AM by Carlos Santoscoy
A twice-a-year furniture market in North Carolina has seen lower attendance since passage of House Bill 2 (HB2).
HB2 is the only state law in the nation that prohibits transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice. It also blocks cities and municipalities from enacting LGBT protections.
According to the Associated Press, attendance dropped 2.4 percent compared to last year at the High Point Market's fall event. An event in April saw roughly 1,000 fewer registered attendees.
The High Point Market's events generate about $5 billion in statewide economic activity.
Republican Governor Pat McCrory has staunchly defended HB2, which he signed. McCrory trails Democrat Roy Cooper by more than 9,000 votes but has yet to concede the race, claiming voting fraud. Cooper has promised to repeal the law if elected governor.
HB2 is the only state law in the nation that prohibits transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice. It also blocks cities and municipalities from enacting LGBT protections.
According to the Associated Press, attendance dropped 2.4 percent compared to last year at the High Point Market's fall event. An event in April saw roughly 1,000 fewer registered attendees.
The High Point Market's events generate about $5 billion in statewide economic activity.
Republican Governor Pat McCrory has staunchly defended HB2, which he signed. McCrory trails Democrat Roy Cooper by more than 9,000 votes but has yet to concede the race, claiming voting fraud. Cooper has promised to repeal the law if elected governor.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine